SCO presents a feast of Hakka folksongs and works in Tunes of Hakka

Singapore, 21 August 2012 (Tuesday) – Tunes of Hakka, as the concert title suggests, features established Hakka artistes from China, Taiwan and Singapore who will present a feast of Hakka folk songs and works. Renowned Hakka vocalist from Huizhou, Huang Hong Ying, Taiwanese composer and singer Huang Lien Yu, local award-winning young pianist Clarence Lee Zheng Le and the Nanyang Khek Community Guild Choir will take centrestage with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) in two nights of unique Hakka-themed concerts.

This uniquely Hakka-flavoured concert commences with Lo Leung Fai’s Medley of Hakka FolkSongs. Huang Hong Ying, Hakka vocalist from China, will mesmerize with her stunning vocals in a number of Hakka folksongs arranged by Wang Ning such as Olive Tree Olive Flower, Seeing Brother From Afar, Hakka Folksongs Are Famous, Hakka Ladies Love to Sing, Welcoming You to Huizhou and The Boat Song.

Award-winning Taiwanese composer and singer Huang Lien Yu will sing and play on the guitar and harmonica Hakka songs composed and lyrics written by him such as That Road of Folksong, The World of Hakka and Sunrise. Being nominated numerous times, Huang Lien Yu won awards for “The Best Hakka Album” and “The Best Hakka Singer” at the 19th Taiwan Golden Melodies Award.

Local second prize piano artist winner of the National Piano & Violin Competition 2011, Clarence Lee Zheng Le will perform Kuan Nai-chung’s Folksong for Piano and Orchestra. The Nanyang Khek Community Guild Choir will also share the stage with SCO in a number of Hakka songs with Huang Hong Ying and Huang Lien Yu – That Road of Folksong, The World of Hakka, Sunrise, Hakka Ladies Love to Sing, Welcoming You to Huizhou and The Boat Song.

A specially commissioned composition for this concert by Wang Ning, Round House Nocturne, will world premiere in this concert. The finale of this new work will feature a combined performance of Huang Hong Ying, Huang Lien Yu and the Nanyang Khek Community Guild Choir – where the combined rich Hakka spirit and culture would conclude the concert in a climax.

Huang Hong Ying, a National First Grade Artiste of the People’s Republic of China, is an established singer. She is a member of Chinese Musicians Association and has won numerous awards such as the Guangdong Project Award and Guangdong Art Festival Silver Award. She has recorded numerous albums such as A September Story, Russian Golden Hits, Thoughts and Hakka Ladies. She has also been invited to perform in numerous countries with high-acclaim.

Huang Lien Yu, is a famous Taiwanese composer and singer. He formed a group with Bobby Chen in the 90s and held more than 300 concerts in Taiwan. His compositions have bought the Hakka music into the main stream. In 2007, his first Hakka album titled “BANANA” received “The Best Hakka Album Awards” in the 19th Golden Melody Awards. His albums were also selected as the finalist of the Golden Melody Awards in 2008 and 2009.

Clarence Lee, graduated with 1st Class Honors in 2012 from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, and was both the class valedictorian and Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal recipient. His achievements to date include winning the 2nd Prize at the National Piano & Violin Competition, Piano Artist Category (2011), 3rd Prize Conservatory’s Piano Concerto Competition (2011), being named a finalist at the 5th New York International Piano Competition (2010), 3rd Prize in the National Piano & Violin Competition, Intermediate Category (2005) and 2nd Prize at the Young Pianist Competition, Senior Category (2005). In 2006, he was selected by the National Arts Council to participate in the 27th Kirishima Music Festival in Japan.